holes , bone flap or titanium plate

[ombrerose4]

I had something that was called duraseal (I think). It's an artificial bone substance, then a plate and screws. I have had post op headaches since about a month since my surgery, and sneezing brings on a deadly headache. On new meds now, waiting for some sign of improvement but nothing yet. I am thinking about trying accupuncture as my next step if these meds don't help. Has anyone had success with accupuncture for headache, mostly trigeminal pain?

[rupert]

 Soundy,   If you feel a sneeze coming on.  Pinch the skin between your nose and your upper lip really tight.    This stops the sneeze for me every time.   Bryan

[Lizard]

I had something that was called duraseal (I think). It's an artificial bone substance, then a plate and screws.

I also had duraseal as well, forgot about that stuff.  Also for my CSF leak they used some sort of "fat" but not from my body.  I didn't want to know...

[lori67]

Sounds like surgeons do their shopping at Home Depot!  Duraseal?  I think we used that to fix something around here!   

Lori

[Soundy]

Sounds like surgeons do their shopping at Home Depot!  Duraseal?  I think we used that to fix something around here!   

Lori

They do ? They do shop at Home Depot ... I was told they used a black and Decker to drill through my skull  ...

I have pinched that space with little help ... pinching nose itself works sometimes ....

[TP]

This is my 4th year since my AN was removed. I didn't have to have an MRI last year but this year I believe I am suppose to have one this fall and I am going to ask my neuro doc what did they do to fill in my head, cuz I really have no idea. I had to have 2 additional CSF surgeries where I believe they just pulled my skin tighter. I felt like I was missing something since I had been reading over the years on this site that folks had screws, fat graft, titanium plates, duraseal and stuff. Sounds like there are others like me who didn't have that procedure.

Fortunately I do not get head aches, only occasionally and aspirin has always helped me out. I only had headaches about 2-3 months prior to my AN being removed so I feel very fortunate. I have a large hole in the back of my head about 2 inches by 1 inch. I find it amazing how no one has ever asked to see my incision. I guess I am the nosiest person cuz when someone tells me they have had surgery, I am so curious to see their incision and usually ask to see it unless of course it is in a place that can't be seen   

[leapyrtwins]

TP -

what's in your head is usually part of your surgical or operative report.  Together with conversations with my docs post op, that's how I know what's in mine.

Jan

[pattycake]

the bone flap was replaced and fixed with titanium mesh.  Also had Fat implants.   After more than 2 years my biggest (only real problem) is continuous headache.  I have been on several medicines,  tried Botox 3 times, electrical stimulation Tens Unit, Physical Therapy, and had nerve Blocks - to no real avail.   Am now in second series of Trigeminal Nerve Blocks which are showing signs of reducing the symptoms.   I am so happy to read that others are having trouble exercising - I can't go for a long walk anymore without generating headache.  and OMGoodness,  Sneezing is the Worst !! One sneeze will generate a bad migraine, one that puts me to bed.

Regular therapy helped me to battle depression that I was unaware of.  And I'm now at least getting a little more optimistic that life will be better one of these days.  I can sleep through the night now, so that is Huge.   Life will get better - it will just take longer than I hoped it would.

[Kaybo]

IMO, retail therapy can solve just about anything!!   

K   

[lori67]

Kaybo,

I agree.  Can I borrow your credit card?   

Lori

[Mei Mei]

I hava a titanium plate as I said in a previous post and when I sneeze I get really bad headaches every time.   I went to my primary care about this as the Neurosurgeon that did the surgery doesn't seem concerned about the headaches.   I brought with me the March ANA newsletter on Post Op Headaches.  He read the article while I was there and I asked if he thought I should have an Occipital Nerve Block.  To decide about that he pressed on the occipital area to see if the pain would refer up to where I have my headaches at the top of my head and it didn't.  Then he ordered x-rays to see where the plate was and if it was on the area on top of where I am having my headaches.  He told me to take these x rays back to my neurosurgeon that did the surgery.   I'm at wit's end because this neurosurgeon doesn't really listen and considers his job done now that he's taken the tumor.
Any suggestions?   I'm taking Motrin and Tylenol every night for the middle of the night headaches and am worried about what it's doing to my liver and kidneys.

Thank you!
Sincerely,
Mei Mei

[Lizard]

Find yourself a headache specialist.  A neurologist who specializes in headaches, they were the only ones who listened to me...you just need to put your foot down and make them listen.  Although they will probably want to try a bunch of drugs first so be a pain in their behinds and hopefully they will take you seriously.  If not move on to the next...also if you find a different neurosurgeon who has an anesthesiologist on staff they might be willing to give it a try especially if you bring in the article.  No offense, but your primary care probably has no clue what is going on.

Good luck!
Liz

[Mei Mei]

Dear Liz,
Thanks for the advice.  I have a neurologist that's seen my father and googled him.   He's really good but am not sure if he specializes in headaches.   It's at least worth a visit and I'll bring the xray, MRI and article.   He really listened to my father and spent 3 hours with him and really liked him, maybe he will spend some time with me.   Who knows.   It's worth a try.   I'm so stressed from these headaches and I know that Post Op headaches have to be treated differently than other headaches because there is a Titanium plate involved in there.

Thanks for listening!
Mei Mei

[Lizard]

No problem Mei Mei, and if he can't help you he should be able to refer you to someone who can.  Hang in there, it takes a while to get the right combo of meds and treatments to get the headaches under control. 
Let me know how it goes!
Take care,

Liz